The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Kaizer Chiefs, with indications their injury woes have eased.
Chiefs have missed a few players at the start of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.
This season, Keagan Dolly, Edmilson Dove and Bontle Molefe are yet to feature for Amakhosi. Newly signed striker Ranga Chivaviro had to pull out of the TS Galaxy tie last month. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo has been limited to one appearance by an injury.
Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki is on record saying he believes he will have a full dressing room after the international break.
“Hopefully, when we come back from the FIFA week, we’ll have a full squad, and all the players will be available,” he said recently.
HOW KAIZER CHIEFS’ INJURY WOES HAVE EASED
Dove was the closest to returning to playing, with Ntseki confirming he started training in the week leading to the tie against Stellenbosch FC on 30 August 2023.
On Friday, 8 September, Chiefs faced Tuks in a friendly match, and Dolly got some minutes while Chivaviro also got a run. Ngcobo also played a part in the match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
The three players have been out of action for several weeks with injuries but are now back in contention for selection.
On the other hand, a Mozambican journalist confirmed Dove was likely to feature in the do-or-die AFCON qualifier against Benin on Friday.
The Mambas need a draw at home in their sixth match of the 2023 AFCON campaign. They have collected seven points from five games and are in second place. Benin are third with five points, while Senegal have already qualified with 13 points.
FIT TO PLAY
“He’s fit to play, according to the update we got from the national team coach. He’s likely to play against Benin on Saturday,” said the journalist.
Their return to training is a major boost for Chiefs, who are currently in fifth place in the DStv Premiership table.
Dolly and Chivaviro’s return should help improve Chiefs’ attacking output. It will take pressure off newly signed Colombian striker Jasond González, who is still finding his feet in the PSL.
Dove’s return also gives the technical team options at the back as he can play left centre-back and fullback. Ngcobo will also be hoping to take his game to the next level this season.
Ntseki could be tempted to give the quartet a run-out in the team’s next match, which is against Royal AM next Saturday.
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